Temple of Pashupatinath

Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest hindu temple in Kathmandu. It is not known for certain when Pashupatinath Temple was founded.
But according to Nepal Mahatmaya and Himvatkhanda,the deity here gained great fame there as  Pashupati, the Lord of the Animals.The temple was first established in the 17th century.
The priests who perform the services at this temple have been Bhat-Brahmins from South India.Karnataka origin since last 350 years.
The priests of Pashaputinath are called Bhattas and the chief priest is called Mool Bhatt or Raval. The chief priest is answerable only to the King of Nepal
 and reports to him on temple matters on a periodic basis.

This tradition is supposed to have started by the request of Adi Shankaracharya
 who sought to unify the different states of Bharatam (Unified India) by encouraging
 cultural exchange. The unique feature of this temple is that only 4 priests can touch
the deity. This tradition is supposed to have started by Sage Shankaracharya in 8th century,
 ostensibly to stop human sacrifice which was prevalent in that temple. This procedure is also
 followed in other temples around India which were sanctified by Adi Shankaracharya.
Malla kings honoured the request of Adi shankarachaya as latter being one of the greatest ever Hindu acharyas.
However,this tradition was recently changed after the historic revolution in Nepal which demolished the monarchy and established democracy where Nepalese priests supported by the anti-Indian Maoists
 government.
There was widespread protests by most Nepalese as they saw this as an intereference in their religion
The temple is of pagoda style of architecture. All the features of pagoda style is founded here like cubic constructions,beautifully carved wooden rafters on which they rest tundal.
 The two level roofs are of copper with gold covering.It has 4 main doors,all covered with silver sheets.This temple has a gold pinnacle,(Gajur), which is a symbol of religious thought.The western door has a statue of large bull  or Nandi, again covered in gold.The deity is of black stone, about 6 feet in height and the same in circumference.Vasukinath lies to the east of Pashupatinath.